Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Resources: Eco-efficiency, Sustainability and Innovation in Tourism

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The Future of Tourism

Abstract

Tourism activities are, by their nature, traditionally resource intensive, particularly in energy, water, soil and raw materials. The efficiency of resource allocation becomes extremely important if sustainable development of these activities is to be pursued. On the other hand, the environmental impact through the generation of waste and pollution of air and water become even more worrying since the environment is itself an input into tourism activities. In this way, this chapter presents the concept of eco-efficiency applied to tourism, that is, the production of goods and services while incurring less impact on the environment and less consumption of natural resources. This chapter has a particular focus on energy, exploring the energy efficiency of tourism activities and the possibility to shift inputs towards renewables. Associated mainly with fossil energy consumption, is the emission of greenhouse gases by tourism activities as transport, accommodation, restaurants and attractions, contribute in this way to air pollution and climate change. This chapter also focuses on ‘eco-innovation in tourism’, as a path to sustainable technologies ensuring eco-efficiency and clean production processes in areas such as construction, integrated water cycles, energy conservation and waste management relating to tourism. The chapter will cover both theoretical perspectives and data analysis, suggesting a number of ways in which public policies, and specifically tourism policy and governance, could be effective in minimizing environmental tourism impacts.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 64.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Alonso-Almeida, M., Rocafort, A., & Borrajo, F. (2016). Shedding light on eco innovation in tourism: A critical analysis. Sustainability, 8, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3390/su8121262.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anable, J., Brand, C., Tran, M., & Eyre, N. (2012). Modelling transport energy demand: A socio-technical approach. Energy Policy, 41, 125–138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2010.08.020.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Becken, S., & Simmons, D. G. (2002). Understanding energy consumption patterns of tourist attractions and activities in New Zealand. Tourism Management, 23, 343–354. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0261-5177(01)00091-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bode, S., Hapke, J., & Zisler, S. (2003). Need and options for regenerative energy supply in holiday facilities. Tourism Management, 24, 257–266. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0261-5177(02)00067-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bolund, P., & Hunhammar, S. (1999). Ecosystem services in urban areas. Ecological Economics, 29, 293–301. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0921-8009(99)00013-0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bramwell, B., Higham, J., Lane, B., & Miller, G. (2017). Twenty-five years of sustainable tourism and the journal of sustainable tourism: Looking back and moving forward. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 25, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2017.1251689.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Butler, R. W. (1993). Tourism – An evolutionary perspective. In J. G. Nelson, R. Butler, & G. Wall (Eds.), Tourism and sustainable development: Monitoring, planning, managing (pp. 27–44). Waterloo, ON: University of Waterloo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carrillo-Hermosilla, J., González, P. R., & Könnölä, T. (2009). Eco innovation: When sustainability and competitiveness shake hands. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Chan, W. W., & Lam, J. C. (2003). Energy-saving supporting tourism sustainability: A case study of hotel swimming pool heat pump. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 11, 74–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CHOSE. (2001). Energy savings by combined heat cooling and power plants in the hotel sector. Commission of the European Communities, Directorate General for Energy, SAVE II Programme.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cierjacks, A., Behr, F., & Kowarik, I. (2012). Operational performance indicators for litter management at festivals in semi-natural landscapes. Ecological Indicators, 13, 328–337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2011.06.033.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cuerva, M. C., Triguero-Cano, Á., & Córcoles, D. (2014). Drivers of green and non-green innovation: Empirical evidence in low-tech SMEs. Journal of Cleaner Production, 68, 104–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.10.049.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dobroteanu, C., & Ladaru, R. (2010). Elements for a national strategy on agriculture and rural development. Metalurgia International, 3, 137–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission. (2013). Green paper, a 2030 framework for climate and energy policies.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission. (2016). Reducing emissions from aviation. In Clim. Action – Eur. Comm. Accessed May 23, 2017, from https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/transport/aviation_en

  • European Environment Agency. (2015). Final energy consumption by sector and fuel: Indicator assessment.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frondel, M., Horbach, J., & Rennings, K. (2007). End-of-pipe or cleaner production? An empirical comparison of environmental innovation decisions across OECD countries. Business Strategy and the Environment, 16, 571–584. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.496.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • García-Pozo, A., Sánchez-Ollero, J.-L., & Ons-Cappa, M. (2016). ECO-innovation and economic crisis: A comparative analysis of environmental good practices and labour productivity in the Spanish hotel industry. Journal of Cleaner Production, 138(Part 1), 131–138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.01.011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghisetti, C., Mazzanti, M., Mancinelli, S., & Zoli, M. (2015). Do financial constraints make the environment worse off? Understanding the effects of financial barriers on environmental innovations. SEEDS, Sustainability Environmental Economics and Dynamics Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gogonea, R.-M., Baltălungă, A. A., Nedelcu, A., & Dumitrescu, D. (2017). Tourism pressure at the regional level in the context of sustainable development in Romania. Sustainability, 9, 698. https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050698.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gössling, S. (2002). Global environmental consequences of tourism. Global Environmental Change, 12, 283–302. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0959-3780(02)00044-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gössling, S. (2013). National emissions from tourism: An overlooked policy challenge? Energy Policy, 59, 433–442. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2013.03.058.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gössling, S. (2015). New performance indicators for water management in tourism. Tourism Management, 46, 233–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2014.06.018.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gössling, S., Peeters, P., Ceron, J.-P., et al. (2005). The eco-efficiency of tourism. Ecological Economics, 54, 417–434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2004.10.006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Higham, J., Cohen, S. A., Cavaliere, C. T., Reis, A., & Finkler, W. (2016). Climate change, tourist air travel and radical emissions reduction. Journal of Cleaner Production, 111(Part B), 336–347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.10.100.

  • Hillery, M., Nancarrow, B., Griffin, G., & Syme, G. (2001). Tourist perception of environmental impact. Annals of Tourism Research, 28, 853–867. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0160-7383(01)00004-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holding, D. M. (2001). The Sanfte Mobilitaet project: Achieving reduced car-dependence in European resort areas. Tourism Management, 22, 411–417. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0261-5177(00)00071-6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horbach, J., Rammer, C., & Rennings, K. (2012). Determinants of eco-innovations by type of environmental impact—The role of regulatory push/pull, technology push and market pull. Ecological Economics, 78, 112–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2012.04.005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Inskeep, E. (1987). Environmental planning for tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 14, 118–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-7383(87)90051-X.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • International Energy Agency. (2016). IEA’s energy efficiency market report 2016.

    Google Scholar 

  • IRENA, Abu Dhabi, C2E2. (2015). Synergies between renewable energy and energy efficiency. IRENA—International Renewable Energy Agency authors: Dolf Gielen, Deger Saygin and Nicholas Wagner; C2E2 – Copenhagen Centre on Energy Efficiency authors: Ksenia Petrichenko and Aristeidis Tsakiris, Copenhagen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, J., Haider, W., Williams, P. W., & Englund, K. (2007). Stated preferences of tourists for eco-efficient destination planning options. Tourism Management, 28, 377–390. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2006.04.015.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kyriaki, E., Giama, E., Papadopoulou, A., et al. (2017). Energy and environmental performance of solar thermal systems in hotel buildings. Procedia Environmental Sciences, 38, 36–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proenv.2017.03.072.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, J. W., & Brahmasrene, T. (2013). Investigating the influence of tourism on economic growth and carbon emissions: Evidence from panel analysis of the European Union. Tourism Management, 38, 69–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2013.02.016.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lumsdon, L. (2000). Transport and tourism: Cycle tourism – A model for sustainable development? Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 8, 361–377.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Madaleno, M., & Moutinho, V. (2017). A new LDMI decomposition approach to explain emission development in the EU: Individual and set contribution. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 24, 10234–10257. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-8547-y.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Madaleno, M., Robaina, M., Ferreira Dias, M., & Nunes, T. (2017). Eco-innovation empirical determinants: How Portuguese firms behave? In S. G. Azevedo & J. C. O. Matias (Eds.), Corporate sustainability: The new pillar of the circular economy. New York: Nova Science Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazilu, M. (2011). Sustainable tourism and development. Craiova: Universitaria Publishing House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mclennan, C. J., Becken, S., & Stinson, K. (2014). A water-use model for the tourism industry in the Asia-Pacific region: The impact of water-saving measures on water use. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research, 41(6), 746–767. https://doi.org/10.1177/1096348014550868.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mississippi Department of Employment Security. (2011). The greening of Mississippi’s economy: The arts, entertainment and recreation sector.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nedelcu, A. (2015). Tourism geography. Bucharest: University Publishing House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nepal, S. K. (2008). Tourism-induced rural energy consumption in the Annapurna region of Nepal. Tourism Management, 29, 89–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2007.03.024.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oltra, V., & Saint Jean, M. (2009). Sectoral systems of environmental innovation: An application to the French automotive industry. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 76, 567–583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2008.03.025.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Orfila-Sintes, F., & Mattsson, J. (2009). Innovation behavior in the hotel industry. Omega, 37, 380–394. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omega.2007.04.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Quilici, A. (1998). A tourist resort on the island of Porto Santo, Portugal: Attempting a natural development. Urban Design International, 3, 53–64. https://doi.org/10.1057/udi.1998.7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qureshi, M. I., Hassan, M. A., Hishan, S. S., et al. (2017). Dynamic linkages between sustainable tourism, energy, health and wealth: Evidence from top 80 international tourist destination cities in 37 countries. Journal of Cleaner Production, 158, 143–155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.05.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robaina-Alves, M., Moutinho, V., & Costa, R. (2016). Change in energy-related CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions in Portuguese tourism: A decomposition analysis from 2000 to 2008. Special Volume: Sustainable Tourism: Progress, Challenges and Opportunities, 111(Part B), 520–528. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.03.023.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rowntree, R. A., & Nowak, D. J. (1991). Quantifying the role of urban forests in removing atmospheric carbon dioxide. Journal of Arboriculture, 17, 269–275.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rubashkina, Y., Galeotti, M., & Verdolini, E. (2015). Environmental regulation and competitiveness: Empirical evidence on the porter hypothesis from European manufacturing sectors. Energy Policy, 83, 288–300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2015.02.014.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sáez-Martínez, F., Avellaneda-Rivera, L., & González-Moreno, A. (2016). Open and green innovation in the hospitality industry. Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, 15, 1481–1487.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarpin, N., & Yang, J. (2012). The promotion of sustainability agenda for facilities management through developing knowledge capabilities. In N. Md Noor & M. Ismail (Eds.), Proceeding of APSEC 2012 & ICCER2012 (pp. 602–607). Surabaya: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, D., Amelung, B., Becken, S., et al. (2008). Climate change and tourism: Responding to global challenges. Madrid: United Nations World Tourism Organisation and United Nations Environment Programme.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, D., Peeters, P., & Gössling, S. (2010). Can tourism deliver its “aspirational” greenhouse gas emission reduction targets? Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 18, 393–408. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669581003653542.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Segarra-Oña, M., Peiró-Signes, A., Albors-Garrigós, J., & Miguel-Molina, B. D. (2017). Testing the social innovation construct: An empirical approach to align socially oriented objectives, stakeholder engagement, and environmental sustainability. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 24, 15–27. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1388.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheehan, K. (1994). Colorado composting. Waste Age, 25, 75–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suciu, M. C., & Suciu, N. (2007). Sustainable development–The key problem of the twentieth century. AGIR J, 1, 124–125.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanja, C. (2009). Effects of global warming on tourism. In A. Yotova (Ed.), Climate change, human systems, and policy. Oxford: Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS).

    Google Scholar 

  • Taşeli, B. K. (2007). The impact of the European landfill directive on waste management strategy and current legislation in Turkey’s specially protected areas. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 52, 119–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2007.03.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Teng, C.-C., Horng, J.-S., (Monica) Hu, M.-L., et al. (2012). Developing energy conservation and carbon reduction indicators for the hotel industry in Taiwan. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 31, 199–208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2011.06.006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thrasher, S. A., Hickey, T. R., & Hudome, R. J. (2000). Enhancing transit circulation in resort areas: Operational and design strategies. Transportation Research Record, 1735, 79–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsagarakis, K. P., Bounialetou, F., Gillas, K., et al. (2011). Tourists’ attitudes for selecting accommodation with investments in renewable energy and energy saving systems. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 15, 1335–1342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2010.10.009.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsai, K.-T., Lin, T.-P., Hwang, R.-L., & Huang, Y.-J. (2014). Carbon dioxide emissions generated by energy consumption of hotels and homestay facilities in Taiwan. Tourism Management, 42, 13–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2013.08.017.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • UNEP; UNWTO. (2005). Making tourism more sustainable—A guide for policy makers. Paris: United Nations Environment Programme.

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations. (2003). Switched on: Renewable energy opportunities in the tourism industry. Paris: United Nations Environment Programme, Division of Technology, Industry and Economics, Production and Consumption Branch. isbn: 92-807-2330-8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warren, C., Becken, S., & Coghlan, A. (2017). Using persuasive communication to co-create behavioural change – Engaging with guests to save resources at tourist accommodation facilities. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 25, 935–954. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2016.1247849.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wei, M., Patadia, S., & Kammen, D. M. (2010). Putting renewables and energy efficiency to work: How many jobs can the clean energy industry generate in the US? Energy Policy, 38, 919–931. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2009.10.044.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Business Council for Sustainable Development. (2006). Eco-efficiency learning module. Geneva: World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xavier, A. F., Naveiro, R. M., Aoussat, A., & Reyes, T. (2017). Systematic literature review of eco-innovation models: Opportunities and recommendations for future research. Journal of Cleaner Production, 149, 1278–1302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.02.145.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work has been in part financially supported by the Research Unit on Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policy—GOVCOPP (project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-008540), funded by FEDER funds through COMPETE2020—Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI)—and by national funds through FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia. Any persistent error or missing’s are the authors’ entire responsibility.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. GOVCOPP—Research Unit on Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policies, DEGEIT—Department of Economics, Management, Industrial Engineering and Tourism, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal

    Margarita Robaina & Mara Madaleno

Authors
  1. Margarita Robaina
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mara Madaleno
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Margarita Robaina .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Ulysses Foundation, Madrid, Spain

    Eduardo Fayos-Solà

  2. School of Events, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK

    Chris Cooper

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Robaina, M., Madaleno, M. (2019). Resources: Eco-efficiency, Sustainability and Innovation in Tourism. In: Fayos-Solà, E., Cooper, C. (eds) The Future of Tourism. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-89941-1_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation